Lambsquarters Identification
Common & Botanical Names
Common Name
Common Lambsquarter, Pitseed Goosefoot
Latin Name
Chenopodium berlandieri
Identifying Lambsquarter
Characteristics
Lambsquarter is an annual herbaceous plant that is considered a weed to many gardeners, landscapers, and horticulturalists. It can grow from 3' to 4' feet tall.
Environment: Cultivated areas, disturbed soils, pastures, fields
Leaves: Lambsquarter leaves are smooth with toothed edges when mature. The leaves can resemble a goose foot. The leaves are edible and can be prepared like spinach, collards and other leafy greens. Young leaves can be eaten raw or added to salads.
Flowers: The flowers are small, green and have no petals. They grow at the end of thebranches and at its axils.
Fruit/Seeds: Lambsquarter produces shiny, black disk-shaped seeds that are about 1.5mm in diameter with gray hull.
Roots: It has a short, branched taproot.
Eradicating Lambsquarter
Eliminating Lambsquarter is as simple as pulling it out of the ground, and even cooking it for dinner if inclined to do so. Chemical herbicides that are glyphosate based can be used for large, overgrown areas of lambsquarter. Chemical herbicides should generally be avoided if the plants can be simply pulled from the ground. Directions for all herbicides need to be followed correctly while using the proper personal protection equipment.
